The Car Connection Expert Review

Dodge is revving up an all-new Charger for next spring, the latest in a series of high-profile revivals from Detroit, following the return of the Pontiac GTO and the new-is-old, retro-styled Mustang.

The Charger, which was shown in concept form at last January’s Detroit Auto Show, aims to capture the hearts of Baby Boomers and younger drivers alike who relish a return to the era of the muscle car. And though a relatively tame version of the ’06 Charger will be offered with a 3.5-liter V-6, the emphasis will be on performance.

Expect Chrysler to focus its marketing campaign on the 5.7-liter HEMI-powered version. And well-placed sources hint that the even more beefy 6.1-liter, 400-horsepower HEMI is a “natural” to follow, though probably not immediately after the car’s spring ’05 launch.

The original Charger, introduced in 1966, went through a series of changes — and powertrains, including the original, 426-cubic-inch Hemi V-8 that was one of the fastest street-legal engines ever sold in the United States. Like other American muscle cars, the Charger didn’t survive the oil shocks of the 1970s, at least not in its original form. In the 1980s, Lee Iacocca’s struggling Chrysler rolled out the Charger badge in an effort to attach some appeal to a series of beefed up subcompacts.

If past is prologue, Dodge is likely also to follow up with an array of accessories, from appearance packages to performance parts. The automaker has already begun making forays into the profitable aftermarket for other models in its line-up, and it would be natural to appeal to this need-for-speed with the reborn muscle car.

Indeed, officials at DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group are confirming plans to take the Charger to the track next February. A NASCAR version will make its tire-spinning debut at the series-opening race in Daytona.

Meanwhile, the new Charger is expected to make an appearance in the upcoming remake of the old TV series, The Dukes of Hazzard. But the good ol’ boy Duke brothers are still expected to drive around in the original Dodge muscle car.

The concept version shown in Detroit last winter kicked off a fair share of controversy, especially among those hoping for a more retro-looking design, in line with what Ford has done with the restyled, ’05 Mustang. But Chrysler officials decided to go for a look representing what they felt was where the Charger would have evolved today.

General Motors adopted a similar strategy when it revived the Pontiac GTO last year. But while fans heralded the Australian-made muscle car’s performance, they lamented its lackluster styling. GM insiders report they are working on a significant re-skinning of the GTO that could hit the streets by 2007.

Dodge planners haven’t finalized pricing on the ’06 Charger, though sources suggest the new car should stay in line with the division’s new Magnum. The HEMI version of that wagon goes for around $30,000, or $3000 less than the Chrysler division charges for its big V-8-powered 300C sedan.

Infuriating Garbage

Overall Rating

Interior/Exterior

Performance

Comfort and Quality

Safety

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Fuel Economy / MPG

Reliability

Where to start? So I bought this car based on expert reviews. Do not trust them. This car is the prime example of what is wrong with the American auto industry. Great ideas that are poorly executed. The...
Where to start? So I bought this car based on expert reviews. Do not trust them. This car is the prime example of what is wrong with the American auto industry. Great ideas that are poorly executed. The styling is kinda boring. The interior is a plastic sea of bland styling and afterthought peices. Poor quality plastic at that. It's as if they couldn't think of anything to fill in the blandness so they just tried to rely on the gizmos to impress you.

Speaking of gizmos, let's start with the instrument cluster. It is a great looking instrument cluster. Very impressive actually. Reminds me of offerings from the German brands. It is also easy to navigate. There is hardly any reason for your hands to leave the steering wheel. It is clear they want your attention on driving. It probably also helps to keep your eyes out of the cockpit so you don't notice how bad the interior really is. The seats are very comfortable and have many adjustments. You cannot change the color of the interior lighting like you can on the Ford system.

The infotainment system is okay. Much better than the Ford Sync system. It is responsive and easy to navigate. I have also had to reset it nearly every time I drive it. The Uconnect system is honestly not worth the hassle. Trying to get my Samsung S5 and this system to cooperate is a pain. The app is straight up garbage. Wifi in the car is a joke. They also charge $40 per month for this "feature". It just stops working after using it for any amount of time. The voice commands especially for the navigation is abysmal. It was bad in the Ford but so much worse in the Dodge. Don't even bother to use the voice feature with the navigation. The navigation itself is okay. Seems to work as advertised. It is a superior system to Fords in this regard. The voice system is half baked at best. Seriously the worst system in the cars I have owned. Even Hyundai has a better system. It's a complete waste.

Now, let's chat about the nuts and bolts. Power is supremely lacking for a supposed 300 hp V6. I live in Colorado and have 650 miles on the car and can tell you it is absolutely terrible on the power. My buddies 2008 Toyota Camry has better power. As a matter of fact the Audi A4 has a better feel to the power with an 80 hp deficit. I should have bought the Audi. Lessons learned.

The AWD is infuriating. You wouldn't think it would be as most cars with AWD just kinda leave it on. This car is rediculous. The AWD stays off and leaves the car in RWD normally. If the temperature is 40° or lower the AWD comes on. If you run the wipers for an amount of time the AWD activates (that's true). If you activate sports mode the AWD activates so now you can burn more gas with no real benefits at all. You don't get more power. You don't get better handling it just revs longer before shifting. Seriously, that's it. If you turn off the traction control the AWD activates. If you use the paddle shifters the AWD activates. In manual mode the AWD activates. It is so stupid to leave the driver no control over the system. For instance, if I want to downshift going down a hill the car will throw on the AWD and then I can burn more gas for no reason. Or if it's cold and dry out I am killing my MPG with the AWD for literally no reason at all because it is 39° outside. This car allows no fun at all because of the half baked idea with the traction control and "sport" mode. What is wrong with the ding dongs at Dodge? This system makes no sense. Don't even try to drive it agressively, it will kill your fun quick.

It handles like a grandpa boat. That's all I can say about that.

Oh and when I tried to take this terrible car back I had discovered it depriciated $10,000.00!!!! All within 250 miles of driving it. I expected $5000 or even $8000 and frankly would have paid it just to be rid of this awful car. But $10,000? Seriously!?!

Best I can do is warn others to stay away. Please learn from my stupidity. Do not even consider this car. It is the worst possible decision to purchase this car and I regret it immensely. + More »

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September 16, 2016

2015 Dodge Charger 4-Door Sedan Road/Track RWD

Most bang for the buck...and we saved at least 30k for a comprable foreign make...absolutly no problems for 1.5 years

Overall Rating

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Performance

Comfort and Quality

Safety

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Fuel Economy / MPG

Reliability

We looked at Acura's, Mercedes, Infinity, Caddy V, Mustang, etc. at a trade show...this car blows all of them away...more bells and whistles than a lot of them + a Hemi ....great reliability..no probs. in 1.5...
We looked at Acura's, Mercedes, Infinity, Caddy V, Mustang, etc. at a trade show...this car blows all of them away...more bells and whistles than a lot of them + a Hemi ....great reliability..no probs. in 1.5 years...a real head turner (in black/black out) and we saved at least 30k over a comparable foreign car. Don't believe all the unreliability that is spewed about American cars. + More »